Hello! Spank

After a rough run of bad luck, Aiko Morimura, a short-statured junior high student, carries a quiet ache. Her father disappeared at sea a decade ago and his fate remains unknown, while her mother, a hat designer, leaves for Paris, entrusting Aiko to her uncle Fujinami. Her pet dog Papi has died in an unfortunate car accident, leaving a gap in her daily life. Then a new canine companion named Spank arrives, calm and loyal, and seems to sense the sadness that shadows Aiko. With Spank at her side, the girl begins to find small moments of light and laughter again.

Produced for television in 1981, the series was created by Shizue Takanashi and Shunichi Yukimuro, with Kei Tomiyama, Mari Okamoto and Noriko Tsukase voicing the human leads and Spank. The show blends warm humor with gentle family moments and adventure.

The show leans on themes of loss, resilience, and the small joys that help a kid cope with uncertainty. Aiko's bond with Spank frames each episode as a reminder that friendship can brighten days even when adults are busy or absent.